About Jackson Square

Jackson Square is a neighborhood in the northwest edge of the Financial District. It is unique in the way that it has satellite buildings; these are buildings located just outside of the boundaries but are technically considered part of the neighborhood.

This is an historic district in that it is one of the oldest commercial neighborhoods in the state, let alone San Francisco. If you are looking to take in the downtown area of the city, want to experience historic Jackson Square or just walk through on your way to other neighborhoods, this is an excellent destination.

Jackson Square is full of history, so not only is it an excellent destination for history lovers, but just those of culture and beautiful architecture. With so many older buildings, you may find yourself wandering the historic district for an entire day (or more). Due to this, it is a good idea to arrive in Jackson Square as early as possible.

Things to Know

If you are a street parker, this is probably not the location for you. As most of the neighborhood remains on the original late 1800’s street design, very little room is available for actual parking. Due to this, the best options are parking in lots or garages.

This is a busy area of San Francisco. With its close proximity to downtown and the number of businesses located within the neighborhood, it fills up quickly. Also, parking is typically going to be more costly here than further out in the city based on its location, so keep that in mind (and consider pre-buying a parking card so you know you have the readily available funds).

Top Tips

If you find a metered spot with an hourly rate more than $3 per, you’re typically better off parking in a garage

Double check operating hours for garages. Some garages here are not 24 hours and you’ll end up needing to get your car, and a big ticket, in the morning.

Street Parking

Street Parking Overview

You’ll have a better opportunity for parking in the garages, but some of the streets do have street parking. The streets around here are narrow, so when there is parking on each side, only one lane is available for driving. If you have a vehicle you don’t want to expose to possible fender benders, which is possible due to many of the curving streets and slender roadways, a garage is your best option.

Best Bets for Street Parking

Though street parking can be difficult to find, street parking options are available down Jackson St. Your best bet is to check around Jackson Street at Montgomery.

See meter locations and rate areas for all of San Francisco on the city’s website.

Paying for Metered Parking in Jackson Square

Like all parking meters in San Francisco, parking meters in Jackson Square accept coins, credit cards, PaybyPhone, and pre-paid SFMTA Parking Cards. Read more about the street meter payment options.

Smart Pricing Street Parking in Jackson Square

Prices at the meter can fluctuate with demand in Jackson Square via San Francisco’s Smart Pricing Program. This area overlaps the Blue “Area 5” metered zone. Be prepared for inconsistent meter rates between $0.50 and $6.50 per hour, and limits between two hours and unlimited.

Resources

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) – The official transportation authority for all of San Francisco, making it the end all be all for all things transportation and parking. Whether you have more questions about specific parking laws or you just want to know when a certain line is running, you’ll have all your questions answered here.

Neighborhood Guide of Jackson Square: There is so much to do within Jackson Square it is hard to cover it all. However, you’ll find great insight into the highlights with this guide, from top restaurants to historical listings.

Attractions

Jackson Square came about truly during the California Gold Rush. Many businesses started in and around Jackson Square and slowly moved outward. At the time, it had three-story buildings built out of brick along cobble stone streets, which at the time proved especially impressive (and expensive). For fans of looking back to the past, many of the buildings located on Jackson street between Montgomery and Sansome still have the cast iron shutters, which were designed to protect against fire. The community itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (there are currently 187 different buildings and communities in San Francisco on the list).

Jackson Square Walking Tours: With all of the different historic destinations and markers within the neighborhood it would take a book to list it all here. So, instead, why not have the book read out loud to you by a professional tour guide? With the help of a walking tour (or a segway tour) you can really learn more about the landmarks while also receiving pointers for great restaurants and bars. These tours are perfect for exploring areas that you simply would not think to stop and check out while searching through Jackson Square and it will give you a better overview than you’ll find anywhere else.